I was a Nerfed Hero in Another World

"You did okay, Green…. actually, I wouldn't know either. I've never been in front of a large crowd before!"

I avoided joining with those bulky parties and audiences. Since there was nothing I could gain there but STDs. Not all the parties had drugs and sex. But playing Magique within my free time became my priority when I was still alive on Earth.

I could argue that I had some experience leading a small group of players to attack a boss monster. However, since I was an overpowered player, I finished all my quests and took the loot for myself.

I did not have any good traits before, and I grew like an immature brat on the internet. Now that I realised the lessons I had missed out on, I vowed to change my life.

"One step at a time...as a hero."

"Did you mumble something, Arthur?"

"Oh, yes… Just talking to myself, Green." I replied, and changed the subject. "Before we go, I just want to give you this...as a parting gift."

I placed the bottle on the table and waited for his response. Green widened his eyes upon witnessing the congested container on the board, dumbfounded about it.

"I-Is this a potion?" Green asked. "But why does it have a bloodier colour?"

They usually dyed potions in this world in crimson, just like any other fantasy games people could find. And since the developers wanted something unique, the potency of each potion strongly relied on its colour.

I gave Green a nod and replied, "Yes. This potion could heal more deadly diseases, replace broken bones and torn muscles."

"Instead of that crappy 40% potency, I increased it and turned the red potions into 60%. I still have no idea what wounds this baby could heal. But I think it'll be enough to heal big scratches or broken bones," I continued.

I was no doctor to observe such happenings in our bodies. But there was without a doubt that this potion could heal more than the 40% one Merchant created. And since this red potion had more effect than the previous one, it would come out effective for people protecting the villagers.

"But I only have one potion for now. And since Merchant could handle those stuff, I'll leave this one to you," I exclaimed, while puffing my chest.

"A-Are you sure, Arthur?! Aren't you going to need this against those demons?"

Green had a point, considering the strength those demons possessed inside their bodies. But I already saved the ingredients and blueprint for my system. So if I wanted to brew some potions, I would just instantly click the buttons and wait for it to concoct.

"No worries. My system grants me the privilege to make one. You'd be able to create some, but you need some understanding about it. You could ask Merchant about the ingredients if you really want to."

The conversation went astray as I taught him various basic information he needed to know about systems. There were things Green asked about, but he eventually understood the features. It even surprised me that a non-gamer like him absorbed the knowledge I passed on to him, especially when he was an NPC before I entered this game.

And when it was time for me to leave, I went to the door and asked my ultimate question. "Are you going to be okay…. you know. All this political stuff and whatnot."

Green took his time to answer my question. He couldn't look me in the eye and stared at the potion for a few minutes, thinking of an answer.

And when Green finally gathered his courage, he looked up and said, "To be honest, I have no idea how to rule a kingdom. I plan on passing the responsibilities to you, since I'm no good leader…. and a mercenary on our team. Two of my leaders died because of my negligence…. because of greed... and because of me. But sometimes, I have to admit that all of us have flaws. As long as I treat my people right, I will lead them to a better future."

"These villagers that chose me as their leader are the king, not me. I'm just someone who spouts orders and monitors problems," Green continued, while standing in front of me. "Thank you, Arthur, for showing me the way. If you hadn't protected these people, we wouldn't be alive today."

I risked my life and defended this town having nothing in return. It was a suicidal mission that had lesser benefits than I could possibly get. All I wanted was a caravan, after all.

But this event gave me something that no gifts could compare to. It was the trust of all the people I protected, which shaped me into a different person.

I was not a little kid who kept playing games on a computer box. I became a man who knew what was right and wrong. A man with flaws, compassion, and righteousness for the people who needed me the most.

I felt like becoming one step closer to achieving my dream.

"No, Green. Thank you for showing me the road."

As soon as he got the hang of it, I left him inside the room and worked on my preparations. My team planned to leave today, since we got our equipment all set for another adventurer.

Merleen waited for me inside the lobby, staring at the garden outside. I did not know, but she exited my sight as soon as I struck a conversation with Green earlier.

I ran towards her and lowered my head. "Sorry, Merleen! I didn't mean to leave you behind."

Merleen looked at me and smiled, "N-No! The two of you were talking about the potion and the future of this kingdom! That's more important, Arthur! And the garden looks impressive, isn't it!"

It was what Merleen had mentioned.

I followed her gaze and watched the marvel leaves sway with the wind. The grass danced to the lovely tune of birds chirping on the branches. There were occasionally fruits falling from the tree, which would bounce on the soil.

I did not notice this garden until now, after all the fighting we had. And now that we had some spare time, I finally realised what Merleen said earlier.

But as I slid my head, Merleen's face entered my view. She had sparkling yet calm eyes watching the garden. That magical girl also gaped her mouth open, imprinting the scene inside her head.

"It is beautiful," I replied to Merleen, while looking at her face.

After a few seconds, Merleen finally realised that I was looking at her, not the garden. Time stopped as we met eyes for a moment, wondering about our next move. Merleen painted herself with a pinkish hue, with her hands twitching at every side. My head became a boiling stove, with all the heat warming my body.

But despite these embarrassing feelings, the two of us did not avert our gaze. We continued looking at each other until I shattered the silence.

"We need to go, Merleen."

"U-Uhm…. yes. Yes, we do."

I escorted Merleen outside and went to the shelter, since we left most of our things there. And we wanted to express our gratitude to Galehaut, who accommodated us when we needed a room. They served us meals and a studio to sleep in when we had no money to spare.

And since we saved the people from the previous king, I wanted to visit them, checking if their conditions turned better.

"By the way, where's Fenrir?" I couldn't help but ask. "Wasn't she with us when the speech happened?"

Since Merleen was the one who went ahead, she might have seen Fenrir roaming around the citadel. But knowing that wolf girl, Fenrir could have left that place and went for a quieter room. And the only environment that I could ever think of was the shelter.

"She's probably there. Fenrir didn't say anything. But she was heading down this street!" Merleen answered, and pointed at the shelter's window! And She's up there!"

But upon witnessing our figures, Fenrir closed the curtains and obstructed our view. We could see nothing when he closed the shutter!

"That Fenrir. I swear I will-."

Before I could even complete my sentence, the kids who saw me dragged my hand inside the shelter. These children also hauled Merleen inside, since she was also a hero of this town. As soon as we entered the building, parents with their children surprised us and sang us a song.

There was a mysterious, well-dressed bard I had never met before who conducted the music. All the children present inside the room danced around him without caring for his identity. I, who knew something was up, wanted to ask about him.

But before I could even talk to him, a parent dragged me to the side and started a conversation. After a few minutes of getting lost from the topic, I averted my gaze and found out that the bard had left the scene.